List of Allowable Changes to Approved Labels

If you are considering making changes to previously approved labels, please review the complete list of allowable revisions before you submit your COLA application—you may not need to send us the revised labels at all!

Examples of Labels with Allowable Changes

The following sample labels illustrate examples of changes you are allowed to make to your approved label without obtaining a COLA from TTB. The item numbers below correspond with the numbers on the Complete List of Allowable Revisions found on pages 3 and 4 of the COLA form (TTB Form 5100.31).

These are examples of revisions allowed in the context of these specific labels. Review the complete list of allowable revisions and applicable conditions for more information about each change. A picture can be worth a thousand words! Use theAllowable Changes Sample Label Generator toolwhichillustrates examples of approved labels.

Approved Brand Label

In this example, we made the following changes ("allowable revisions") to the approved brand label:

Once a label receives TTB approval, you can make certain changes to that label without obtaining a COLA from TTB. Any revision(s) you make to your approved label(s) must be in compliance with the applicable regulations in 27 CFR parts 4, 5, 7 and 16, and any other applicable provision of law or regulation, including, but not limited to, the conditions described in the "Comments" section of the chart below.

The repositioning must comply with any placement requirements applicable to mandatory information. For example, some types of mandatory information must appear on the brand label or must appear together with other label information.

3. Change the color(s) (background and text), shape and proportionate size of labels. Change the type size and font, and make appropriate changes to the spelling (including punctuation marks and abbreviations) of words, in compliance with the regulations. Change from an adhesive label to one where label information is etched, painted or printed directly on the container and vice versa.

YES

YES

YES

All mandatory information must be readily legible and appear on a contrasting background. If you received approval for a single label then you may not divide the label into multiple labels without reapproval. All changes must comply with applicable regulations, and changes in spelling must not change the meaning of the previously approved information.

4. Change the stated percentages for blends of grape varietals and appellations of origin for wine labels.

YES

N/A

N/A

When used for any of these items, the total percentages for each element must equal 100%. You may not change the name of the stated varietals or appellations without submitting a new application.

5. Add, change or delete a vintage date for wine labels.

YES

N/A

N/A

If the vintage date is deleted, no reference to "Vintage" may be made on any label or other materials (e.g., caps, capsules, corks, etc.) affixed to the bottle. When adding a new vintage date, you must comply with all applicable regulations, including the requirements regarding appellations of origin.

6. Change the optional "produced" or "made" by statements on wine labels to "blended", "vinted", "cellared" or "prepared" by statements.

See ATF Ruling 82-4 for policy regarding use of sugar content statements and when such statements are required.

9. Add or delete bonded winery or taxpaid wine bottling house number for wine labels.

YES

N/A

N/A

If used, a bonded winery number must appear in direct conjunction with the bottler's name and address.

10. Change the net contents statement.

YES

YES

YES

Revisions must comply with all applicable regulations governing net content statements and standards of fill. Please ensure that all applicable type size requirements are met for each container size.

11. Change the mandatory statement of alcohol content, as long as the change is consistent with the labeled class and type designation and all other labeling statements.

YES

YES

YES
(Flavored
Malt Beverages Only)

For example, you may change the alcohol content of a grape wine labeled with a varietal designation from 13 percent to 15 percent alcohol by volume, even though it results in a change to the product’s tax classification.

However, if the product was designated and labeled as a “table wine,” an alcohol content of 15 percent alcohol by volume would be inconsistent with the rules for use of that designation, so this change would not be permitted.

Similarly, a label bearing a “rum” designation may not be changed to state an alcohol content of less than 40 percent alcohol by volume. The revised alcohol content statement must be consistent with all other mandatory or optional labeling statements.

14. Change the mandatory age statement, or delete or change an optional age statement for distilled spirits labels.

N/A

YES

N/A

These changes must not result in a change to the class or type designation. See 27 CFR 5.22 and 5.40 for further information about age statements and minimum aging requirements applicable to certain classes and types of spirits.

15. Delete or change an optional age statement, including a barrel aging statement, for wine and malt beverage labels.

YES

N/A

YES

Statements of age on wine labels must comply with 27 CFR 4.39(b).

16. Add, delete, or change statements or information in order to comply with the requirements of the State in which the malt beverage is to be sold.

N/A

N/A

YES

Applies only to malt beverages sold in that particular State.

17. Change the numerical values for calories, carbohydrates, protein, and fat contained in a statement of average analysis.

YES

YES

YES

Changes must be in compliance with TTB Ruling 2004-1.

18. Add, delete, or change stated bottling date, production date (day,month,and/or year) or freshness information including bottling, production or expiration dates or codes.

YES

YES

YES

Bottling dates added to wine labels must comply with 27 CFR 4.39(c).

19. Change the name or trade name to reflect a different name already approved for use by the responsible bonded wine cellar, taxpaid wine bottling house, distilled spirits plant, brewery, or importer. Change the address where it is within the same State.

YES

YES

YES

This means that a bonded wine cellar, taxpaid wine bottling house, distilled spirits plant, brewery or importer may revise the label to include the use of a name or trade name that is already approved for that particular industry member. The name or trade name must appear on the basic permit, brewer’s notice, or other qualifying documents for the company to whom the original certificate was issued. If the name or trade name is also used as the brand name on the label, resulting in a change of brand name, you must submit a new application. The change in address is ONLY allowed for in-state moves or other changes to the COLA holder’s address that have already been reflected on the industry member’s basic permit, brewer’s notice, or other qualifying documents.

20. Add, delete, or change the name and/or address of the foreign producer, bottler, or shipper.

YES

YES

YES

The producer, bottler, or shipper must be located in the same country originally shown.

21. Add, delete, or change the name, address, and/or trademark of the wholesaler, retailer, or persons for whom the product is imported or bottled.

Holiday/seasonal-themed information or graphics must not conflict with or qualify the mandatory information and must comply with all applicable regulations, including the rules governing prohibited practices.

If authorization by a third party was required for use of such promotional sponsorship-themed information on a label when first approved, it is the responsibility of the industry member to have any necessary documentation of authorization to cover the revisions to the approved label(s).

30. Add, delete, or change a label or sticker that provides information about a rating or recognition provided by an organization (e.g., “Recognized as one of the top values in vodka by x Magazine” or “Rated as the best 2012 wine by x Association”), as long as the rating or recognition reflects simply the opinion of the organization and does not make a specific substantive claim about the product or its competitors.

YES

YES

YES

These statements or graphics must not conflict with or qualify any mandatory information and must comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Substantive claims about the product or its competitors are not covered by this exemption.

31. Delete all organic references from the label.

YES

YES

YES

If you choose to delete one organic claim on a label on which you have received approval to make organic claims, then all organic claims, references, and certification statements must be deleted on the revised label. The deletion of individual references or certification statements is not permitted without a new COLA.

A sulfite statement is required when sulfur dioxide or a sulfiting agent is detected at a level of 10 or more parts per million, measured as total sulfur dioxide. The statement used must accurately reflect all of the sulfur dioxide or sulfiting agent(s) present in the alcohol beverage. For wine: Any other variation of the statement or removal of the statement requires a lab analysis. For sulfite waivers, the proprietor must have proof of sample analysis from a TTB-certified laboratory or from the TTB Compliance Laboratory.

33. Add, delete, or change information about the number of bottles that were “made,” “produced,” “brewed,” or “distilled” in a batch; respectively.

YES

YES

YES

Example: “100 bottles produced.”

34. Add certain instructional statements to the label(s) about how best to consume or serve the product. Only the statements listed in the comments section may be added.

YES

YES

YES

Only the following statements are approved to be added to a label:“Refrigerate After Opening”“Do Not Store In Direct Sunlight”,
“Best If Frozen For ___ to ___ Hours”, “Shake Well”, “Pour Over Ice”, “Best When Chilled”, “Best Served Chilled”,“Serve Chilled”,“Serve at Room Temperature”

If you have any questions about what is mandatory information and what is non-mandatory information, please consult the applicable regulations in 27 CFR parts 4, 5, 7 and 16 or contact our Advertising, Labeling and Formulation Division: